The provincial government contributed $120,000 #SoALLKidsCanPlay!
Burlington, ON – June 28, 2024 – KidSport Ontario is proud to announce that the Ontario Ministry of Sport has invested $120,000 in the charity to assist more children to participate in organized sport. This generous contribution to support inclusive grassroots recreation will further assist KidSport Ontario in reaching more families.
“Sport participation has seen a steady decline over the last several years and cost is one of the primary factors,” said Sara Restani, Executive Director of KidSport Ontario. “This investment has had a direct impact on ensuring kids were able to register for their favourite sport and not miss out on all the amazing benefits it provides. We are grateful to the Ministry for recognizing this need and working with us to fund community sport participation in Ontario.”
The grant has allowed KidSport Ontario and its community chapters to assist an additional 430 children in the province with sport registration fees and equipment costs between January 1 and March 31, 2024, with a keen focus on aiding children facing financial barriers, many in remote communities. In total, 1128 kids were able to play soccer, baseball, gymnastics, and so many other sports this past spring through KidSport, amounting to $270,000 put back into the local sport system in 111 Ontario communities.
“Our government is proud to support the work that KidSport Ontario is doing to get more children involved in organized sport programs across the province,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “This funding will help remove barriers to participation, create new opportunities for Ontario’s youth to realize the benefits of active recreation, while supporting more parents and families as they manage their household budgets.”
About KidSport Ontario:
KidSport Ontario is the provincial arm of KidSport Canada, a national not-for-profit charitable organization that provides financial assistance to kids aged 18 and under. Through a confidential application process, KidSport provides grants that enable kids to play a season of sport through assistance with sport registration fees and equipment costs. KidSport believes that the power of sport participation promotes the development of children’s social, mental, and physical wellbeing. Through increasing access to quality sport programs, KidSport strengthens communities across Ontario.
About Ministry of Sport:
This funding is a part of the $2 million provided through the Ministry of Sport in 2023-24 to support to up to 200 community organizations across the province to facilitate accessible, affordable and inclusive sport and recreation programming.
The Ontario government invests over $18 million annually to support local, inclusive physical activity programming, including: Ontario’s After School Program, the Community Aboriginal Recreation Activator Program (CARA), the Sport Pathway for Ontario Native Wellness, and Variety Village.
To contact KidSport Ontario:
Sara Restani
Executive Director
Srestani@kidsportontario.ca
905-977-0946